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The Caribbean Conservation Corporation, through its Sea Turtle Survival League (STSL), initiated a new campaign to address the threats to Florida's nesting sea turtles posed by coastal development, construction of sea walls, and increasing reliance on beach nourishment to protect poorly sited upland development. STSL's new initiative, dubbed the Free the Beach Campaign (FTBC), seeks to eliminate or reduce the continued destruction of Florida's remaining coastal habitat by addressing the root causes—poorly designed coastal management policies and ineffective enforcement of existing laws and regulations.
Latest News:
Higher Ground: The Battle to Save Florida's Beaches - Produced by CCC in partnership with award-winning environmental filmmaker CAVU (Clean Air, Visibility Unlimited), the film is drawing attention to the complex issues threatening Florida's beaches and sea turtles, while calling for progressive new policies that will control coastal development and help Floridians adapt to the reality of an eroding shore.
Comprehensive Beach Preservation Bill Passes In Favor of the Beach-Going Public and Coastal Wildlife May, 2007
CCC participates in Coastal Policy Debate
On April 18, 2007, Gary Appelson, Caribbean Conservation Corporation's Policy Coordinator, participated in a debate on coastal management policy issues confronting Florida. The Debate was organized by the Florida Public Interest Foundation, as part of its Growth In Florida series. Listen to Gary's comments.
The entire debate with Charles Pattison of 1000 Friends of Florida, Laura Geselbracht of The Nature Conservancy , and Gary Appelson can be heard at www.growthinflorida.com/Growth_In_Florida.html. CCC is leading the debate calling for coastal policy reform, promoting polices that discourage new construction on Florida's fragile frontal dunes, and seeking innovative strategies that support a managed retreat from critically eroding shorelines.
CCC and others call on Florida's next governor to protect coast and ocean
Nothing defines Florida more than its coast. Florida's beaches, dunes, and nearshore habitats are among the most biologically rich in the world, providing habitat for a diverse array of flora and fauna. This September 2006 issue paper (Florida's Coastal and Ocean Future) produced by CCC and 7 other conservation groups provides a blueprint for how local leaders and decision makers can -- and must -- take action to protect Florida's marine and coastal ecosystems. Information about Florida’s Coastal and Ocean Future
Members of the Coastal High Hazard Study Committee announced
The committee is comprised of 18 appointed members, including Florida coastal legislators and representatives of various state agencies and interest groups. Out of the 18 members, only one appointment was set aside to represent the environmental community. CCC was selected to fill the “environmental advocacy” position and will be represented on the committee by CCC’s Policy Coordinator, Gary Appelson. Information about the Coastal High Hazard Study Committee, meeting times, agenda and minutes can be found on the web at: http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/dcp/chhsc. CCC encourages those with concerns or expertise on the need for coastal policy reform to get involved in this process. Meetings are open to the public.
 Information related to Florida's coastal management policies:
 On September 7, in a surprise announcement, Governor Jeb Bush of Florida issued an Executive Order calling for a study of coastal development policies (pdf below). The Executive order established a Coastal High Hazard Study Committee of 18 appointed representatives of various agencies and interest groups. The committee is to report back to the legislature after studying and formulating recommendations for managing growth in Coastal High Hazard Areas, which are defined as the Category 1 hurricane evacuation zones. The Committee will serve as a forum for identifying and recommending land use policies that safeguard the public from natural hazards, protect property rights, preserve coastal ecosystems and enhance economic development and tourism opportunities. There is little doubt this will be quite a balancing act.
CCC has been calling for coastal management and policy reform for over a year and has met with legislative leaders, the Governor's staff and with the heads of several agencies. We applaud the Governor for this effort. CCC intends to be involved in this study and review process. Documents related to the September 7, 2005 announcement.
Beginning in the Fall of 2003, CCC began working with the University of Florida Conservation Clinic on a variety of matters addressing Florida's coastline.
Documented Impacts of Beach Armoring Structures on Sea Turtle Nesting Behavior
For more information about STSL's Free the Beach Campaign, please contact Gary Appelson or David Godfrey or call 352-373-6441.
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